Giving Tuesday: MPA

As McLean Project for the Arts enters its seventh decade as a primary destination for creative expression, innovation, and education, it continues to grow to meet the interests and demands of the region. We are continually reminded of the central role that art serves in our community, and the importance of the work we do to provide equal opportunity for all residents of our diverse area. We need to think local, act local and give local. With your support, MPA can continue to provide art outreach programs that educate and inspire, uniting our community around cultural exchange, self-expression and a sense of the possible. 

Looking ahead to 2024, we are inspired to do even more—and we need your generous support. 

A GivingTuesday gift at any level will allow us to continue adapting and connecting art and community. And this year, thanks to the generous support of the Young family, we are able to match all donations up to $10,000. This means your Giving Tuesday donation will go TWICE as far! What can you do to help us meet our goal?

  • $25: Keep the lights on!
    Every dollar truly makes a difference – thank you for supporting the operations of McLean Project for the Arts.
  • $75: Support FCPS Student Pyramid Art Shows
    A gift at this level supports our annual Youth Art Show, which provides an opportunity for local students to display their art in a real art gallery.
  • $150: Art Supplies for MPA ArtReach
    A gift at this level provides supplies for MPA’s signature outreach program, MPA ArtReach, bringing FCPS Title I elementary students, seniors and individuals with disabilities into the gallery.
  • $250: Summer Camp Scholarship
    Your donation provides 1 scholarship to a financially disadvantaged local student to attend an MPA summer art camp.
  • $350: Best Buddies Programs
    A donation at this level provides the supplies and instruction for our new partnerships with the Langley and McLean High Schools’ Best Buddies programs. Help us expand to other Fairfax County schools!
  • $500: Live Music
    Support live music at an in-gallery or virtual MPA art event this year.
  • $1,000: FCPS ArtReach
    A gift at this level funds the buses to bring students from an FCPS Title 1 school into our gallery for our ArtReach program.
  • $2,500: Artist Support
    Support Mid-Atlantic artists featured in MPA’s 2024 Spring Solo Exhibitions.

GIVE NOW

McLean Project for the Arts is a non-profit 501(c)3 charitable organization, with the tax identification number of EIN #52-1374407.
Your donation is considered a charitable contribution under the U.S. Tax Laws. Consult your tax advisor to determine the extent of the applicable tax deduction.

Dress Collection: Donations needed



Becca’s Closet Collection: December 16 and 17 at the Mclean Community Center

Potomac School students are collecting gently used prom and homecoming dresses (and shoes and other accessories), as a new chapter of Becca’s Closet , a nonprofit organization that gives donated dresses to girls who may not otherwise be able to participate in these school events. If you have any donations for this great cause, please drop them off at MCC during the weekend of December 16-17. All donations are greatly appreciated! The first dress distribution event will be in the spring for Prom 2024, and the students hope to collect a lot of dresses before then to help as many teens as possible. Thank you for giving your dresses a new life and helping local teens celebrate high school events!

FIND OUT MORE

Rise Against Hunger Meal-Packing Event

Join the McLean community in the Rise Against Hunger Event

On November 4th, from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM more than 1000 Volunteers will gather at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer for the annual meal-packaging event for Rise Against Hunger. The goal is to package 200,000 meals but we still need to raise $13,000 to meet the $76,000 to pay for the meals.  Donations can be made at http://events.riseagainsthunger.org/McLeanCommunity .

Stuff the Cruiser

Wednesdays through October 25, from 3 to 7 p.m.

Benefitting Share of McLean; Food for Others and Second Story

Tysons Boro

1640 Boro Place

McLean

Parking Lot in front of mural

Fairfax Country Police Department in partnership with Tysons Interfaith and Tysons Community Alliance

Youth Auditions for “The Many Disguises of Robin Hood”

Calling all Volunteers! Fairfax Fiesta is shaping up to be a vibrant event, where The PARC at Tysons will be filled with performances, activities, booths, and more. To support this event, we’re looking for a big volunteer team! Sign up to be an event volunteer —  youth 15 years and older are welcome to participate! Volunteer opportunities include set-up team, welcoming attendees, managing games and activities, interpreting and language assistance, and clean-up.  Celebrate Fairfax is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, so if you are looking for a fun opportunity to connect with your neighbors, meet new friends and support your community this is the opportunity for you. You can even  fill school or work community service hours!

VOLUNTEER SIGN UP
Tuesday & Wednesday, Jan. 23 & 24
Call Backs (by appointment only): Thursday, Jan. 25, 7 p.m.

In merry ol’ England, the townspeople are overtaxed and unfulfilled. Lucky for them, the mysterious outlaw, Robin Hood, is outsmarting the rich with clever disguises and returning their funds to the poor. Frustrated by these tricks, the sheriff, his daughter and the prince scheme to capture Robin Hood and maintain control of the taxes. Are Robin Hood and the band of outlaws ready for their riskiest deceit yet?
The spring show is The Alden’s only self-produced production of the year. Director, designers and production staff are all local, theatrical professionals.
Actors must be residents of the MCC tax district between the ages of 10-16 at their audition. There is no charge to audition, but participation in the production is $150 for each actor who is cast.
Previous theatrical experience is preferred, but not required. Actors should feel confident projecting their voice, articulating and speaking clearly. This script is fast paced, will require costume changes and most roles are not gender specific. Some roles require actors to sing basic tunes or use simple puppets.
Pre-registering and scheduling your audition time is strongly recommended. Walk-in auditions will be accommodated as time permits. When registering for auditions, actors will list any theatre experience, will provide all conflicts with the provided rehearsal schedule and select their preferred audition time slot, to be confirmed by email.
Auditions will be approximately 15 minutes in a small group. Actors will be asked to read from the script and perform improv games. Sample scripts will be available 20 minutes prior to the audition time and cannot be emailed in advance.Tuesday & Wednesday, Jan. 23 & 24
Call Backs (by appointment only): Thursday, Jan. 25, 7 p.m.

In merry ol’ England, the townspeople are overtaxed and unfulfilled. Lucky for them, the mysterious outlaw, Robin Hood, is outsmarting the rich with clever disguises and returning their funds to the poor. Frustrated by these tricks, the sheriff, his daughter and the prince scheme to capture Robin Hood and maintain control of the taxes. Are Robin Hood and the band of outlaws ready for their riskiest deceit yet?
The spring show is The Alden’s only self-produced production of the year. Director, designers and production staff are all local, theatrical professionals.
Actors must be residents of the MCC tax district between the ages of 10-16 at their audition. There is no charge to audition, but participation in the production is $150 for each actor who is cast.
Previous theatrical experience is preferred, but not required. Actors should feel confident projecting their voice, articulating and speaking clearly. This script is fast paced, will require costume changes and most roles are not gender specific. Some roles require actors to sing basic tunes or use simple puppets.
Pre-registering and scheduling your audition time is strongly recommended. Walk-in auditions will be accommodated as time permits. When registering for auditions, actors will list any theatre experience, will provide all conflicts with the provided rehearsal schedule and select their preferred audition time slot, to be confirmed by email.
Auditions will be approximately 15 minutes in a small group. Actors will be asked to read from the script and perform improv games. Sample scripts will be available 20 minutes prior to the audition time and cannot be emailed in advance.

Apply now for a New Mini-Grant



Celebrate National Digital Inclusion Week in Fairfax County with this new pilot program! Celebrate Fairfax will provide up to $500 for events or programs in support of digital inclusion. Apply now for the first Celebrate Fairfax Community Grant!
 
The purpose of these events should be to promote digital literacy, access to technology, and equitable participation in the digital age among the residents of Fairfax County. You are eligible for this grant if you are a registered nonprofit organization, community-based organization, or Fairfax County Government agency affiliate.
 
The application process is a Google Form with basic information about your organization and a 1-2 page response to 8 basic questions about the event or program you will host.
 
The deadline to apply is Monday, September 18th at 5pm. Please share with your community groups and look for more information on how we’re celebrating Digital Inclusion week.

Fairfax Fiesta: Volunteers needed

Calling all Volunteers! Fairfax Fiesta is shaping up to be a vibrant event, where The PARC at Tysons will be filled with performances, activities, booths, and more. To support this event, we’re looking for a big volunteer team! Sign up to be an event volunteer —  youth 15 years and older are welcome to participate! Volunteer opportunities include set-up team, welcoming attendees, managing games and activities, interpreting and language assistance, and clean-up.  Celebrate Fairfax is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, so if you are looking for a fun opportunity to connect with your neighbors, meet new friends and support your community this is the opportunity for you. You can even  fill school or work community service hours!

VOLUNTEER SIGN UP

McLean Central Park: Seeks Donations

McLean Central Park is a 28 acre public park, just minutes from Tyson’s Center, in the heart of downtown McLean, Virginia. McLean Central Playground Team is raising money for the Toddler Playground, to bring increased accessibility, sensory and adaptive play, and new equipment for people of all ages and abilities. We are asking the community to raise $400,000 by December 2023, for 2024 construction. Please visit our donate page for more information, or click HERE for an online donation to Fairfax County Park Foundation, McLean Central Park Playground.

Support Students with Food Insecurity

Educate Fairfax Fundraiser



From June 16 through July 27, 2023, everyone who shops at Giant Food will be invited to round their grocery purchase to the nearest dollar. Those funds will be donated to Educate Fairfax to support students with food insecurity. Educate Fairfax is a 501 (c)3 non profit that works to make a positive difference in the lives of FCPS students. In the 2022-2023 school year, they raised over $26,000 through this program, which was used to clear delinquent lunch accounts around the district.


For more information about Educate Fairfax or questions about this fundraiser, visit the Educate Fairfax website.The nomination period for the Tree Commission’s annual Friends of Trees opens on Friday, June 23, 2023 and continues through Monday, July 31. A Friends of Trees award recognizes efforts made for exceptional, outstanding, and innovative conservation-based tree actions in Fairfax County that do one or more of the following criteria: Protect and preserve existing trees and associated habitats. Increase Fairfax County’s tree canopy and its related habitats. Educate and inspire people to plant more trees and properly maintain them, and convey an understanding of both the value and benefits of trees.Developers who go ‘above and beyond’ Fairfax County requirements to preserve and protect trees and associated habitats. Nominee Categories: A. Individual Volunteer: an individual who has provided extraordinary unpaid leadership in conceiving and implementing a tree-related project. B. Non-profit Group or Business: Examples include Scouts or other youth groups or clubs, “Friends of” groups, faith community properties, HOAs and Citizens Associations, county agencies and/or facilities.C. For-profit Company: Examples include large corporations or other businesses, HOA management companies, commercial nurseries, landscaping contractors, office park and property managers. D. Development Community: Must have demonstrated, during planning and implementation, a strong commitment to conservation-based actions to both preserve and plant trees above and beyond Fairfax County requirements. Winners will be announced in the fall, 2023. For more information, and nomination forms, visit the Friends of Trees Awards website.

Fairfax County Parks Foundation Seeking Vehicle for Wonder Wagon Mobile Nature Center

The Fairfax County Park Foundation is seeking a vehicle and accepting donations to support the future FCPA Wonder Wagon Mobile Nature Center!


The Wonder Wagon Mobile Nature Center will bring environmental education to our neighbors particularly those in underserved and underrepresented communities. 


Children attending community outreach events, Rec-PAC summer camps, SACC programs at Title 1 schools in Fairfax County, and other popular gatherings will have fun with hands-on learning about our local environment.and increase connectedness to nature where they live.


Learn more about the Wonder Wagon and Donate Today to enrich the environment through education and equity outreach!


The Fairfax County Park Foundation is delighted to have been selected as the recipient of a 2023 grant through The Environment Fund for this impactful project!


Read this Environment Fund impact story, ‘Fairfax County Park Foundation goes Mobile’, by Alex Carey, Manager of Communications and Events, The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia.




Fairfax County Park Foundation is grateful and honored to be a ’23 grantee of The Community for Northern Virginia!

The Fairfax Food Council is seeking two youth representatives to serve on the Fairfax Food Council Steering Committee. The Steering Committee is charged with overseeing the work of the Council, setting priorities, and raising resources, among other duties. As a member of the Steering Committee, the youth representative will:Attend the Steering Committee and work group meetings or review meeting minutes, as school schedule allows. Meet monthly with the Fairfax Food Council Project Manager and other designated members of the Steering Committee. Assist the Steering Committee in overseeing the work of the Council, and in setting the Council’s priorities. Represent the interests of youth who live and go to school in Fairfax County, Fairfax City, and Falls Church. The youth representative position is considered a volunteer position. However, youth representatives will be granted monthly stipends in the amount of $25 per hour of service. The time commitment is approximately 6 hours of service each month. Applicants should both live and attend school in Fairfax County, Fairfax City, or Falls Church, and be a rising high school junior for the 2023-2024 school year. Representatives will serve a one-year term, with the ability to extend to a two-year term.Applications are due by September 15, 2023.For more information, visit the Fairfax Food Council website or contact fairfaxfoodcouncil@fairfaxcounty.gov